The former Poundland store in Margate’s College Square will be turned into a gym and coffee shop.
The site will be run by Infinity Fitness-UK and will include cardio-vascular equipment -such as cross-trainers- and weights with 13 benches, sunbed and one room set aside for regular classes.
The gym will be open 24/7 and is aimed at being ‘affordable’ and will be monitored by CCTV.
It is estimated that some nine jobs will be created, six of those being full-time.
In a planning application to the council it states: “It is likely a number of these jobs would be particularly suitable for young people, including those looking for their first opportunity to gain employment. It will also provide opportunities for employees wanting to develop skills and experience in fitness and training. The use will create just the sort of employment opportunities that Margate needs.”
Infinity Fitness-UK runs two gyms in Kent, including one at West Malling, and plans to open two more next year. The Margate site will be the firm’s largest property to date with 858 square metres of space over two floors.
The Margate gym, which is due to open in September, has different memberships options available from gym only to gym with unlimited classes. Both these options can either be chosen on a 12 month fixed contract or a rolling contract. All memberships have full 24 hour access.
As a limited pre-opening offer the following prices are available to join on-line now – no money will be taken prior to the opening.
| Membership Type | PRE-SALE OFFER (NO J/F) | Normal price (PLUS J/F) | JOINING FEE |
| 12M GYM ONLY | 18.99 | £22.99 | £20.00 |
| 12M GYM + CLASSES | 24.99 | £28.99 | £20.00 |
| ROLLING MONTH GYM ONLY | 22.99 | £26.99 | £20.00 |
| ROLLING MONTH GYM +CLASSES | 29.99 | £33.99 | £20.00 |
There will also be day passes which can be purchased for a one time session at a cost of £6.
Soft play
There will also be a soft play area for children aged one to five.
The play area will have two levels. Inside the area there will three themed rockers for the children to ride on and the rest of the area will be made up of a large selection of soft play shapes for the children to climb around on, or build with. These shapes will include three lettered cubes, which will help the younger children to learn to spell simple three letter words and two dice to help them with their numeracy skills.
To the rear of the area will be the more adventurous section where children can crawl around under the platform and bash past the mini biff bag or they can climb up to the second level using the log climb, the step climb or even the slippery slope. On the upper level they will find a set of hanging snakes to push past and a soft hump to roll over. There is also the slippery slope, which will whizz them back down to the ground level where they can start their adventure all over again.
Coffee house
The coffee house is alongside the soft play area and offers supplements and protein bars as well as hot and cold drinks and food. This will be open to members and non-members of the gym.
Work due to start
Infinity Fitness-UK boss Dean Smith said: “The works on the site start within the next few weeks and it will be an amazing 10,000 sq ft facility. The gym will include a life fitness CV section and a mass of life fitness resistance equipment (pin loaded).
“As this gym will be an accredited Hammer Strength Centre, we will have the largest selection of plate loaded Hammer Strength equipment in Kent.
“We will also have a huge free weights section with dumbbells, benches and barbells etc and a large stretch section with all that you will need.
“We will have a large studio for our classes, changing rooms and showers. We also will have a large coffee shop and soft play section for children. Non members are welcome in both the gym and coffee shop.
“We are excited to be part of the regeneration progress in Margate and we believe this facility will have a massive impact on the local area and its residents.”
Thanet council granted an application for change of use this month.
